Intelligence-led surveillance near Pune Railway Station has led to the recovery of three live Malabar giant squirrels and seven Indian star tortoises — and the arrest of two suspects — in a wildlife trafficking operation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
The Pune Regional Unit of DRI’s Mumbai Zonal Unit mounted the operation on May 20 after receiving specific inputs about illegal wildlife activity in the city. Officers intercepted the first suspect at an identified location and found three live Malabar giant squirrels concealed inside two corrugated cartons.
Interrogation of the first accused led investigators to a second location in Pune, where a second suspect was detained. A search of his possession yielded seven live Indian star tortoises.
Both species carry strong legal protection. The Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) — known for its striking multi-coloured coat and found across peninsular India’s forests — is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making its hunting and trade a serious criminal offence. The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is similarly protected and is among the most frequently trafficked reptiles in South Asia, prized in the illegal exotic pet trade.
The rescued animals, the two accused, and the packing material used for concealment were handed over to the Pune Forest Department for further investigation and legal proceedings under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The DRI stated it remains committed to protecting wildlife through intelligence-based operations targeting trafficking networks and poaching syndicates.
The Malabar giant squirrel — India’s largest squirrel species — has faced increasing pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation across its range in the Western Ghats and central Indian forests. The species gained wider public attention in 2019 when photographs highlighting its remarkable colouring went viral internationally.
Sources: Free Press Journal | IANS via Bilkul Online | Pune Pulse
India Wildlife News follows India’s wildlife and conservation landscape. Views expressed in sourced reports are those of the respective organisations.